Africa Synodal Continental Assembly promises to disable rigid hierarchical structures, harmful clericalism

The African Synodal Continental Assembly has pledged to surmount rigid hierarchical structures, unhealthy autocratic tendencies, harmful clericalism and isolating individualism that undermine and weaken relationships between bishops, priests and laity. The Ecclesial Assembly made this collective resolve in its bid as the Synodal Family of God, to achieve genuine conversion and reform aimed at deepening the experience of synodality in walking together, especially in times of tension. 206 participants including 9 cardinals, 29 bishops and 41 priests from all parts of the continent of Africa, Madagascar and the Islands, at the African Synodal Continent Assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from March 1 to 6, 2023 portrayed themselves as “The Family of God in Africa firmly rooted in the synodal dynamic.” Affirming that synodality is no longer a remote desire, a faint hope or a distant future objective, they testified, “We have tasted the nourishing fruits of synodality by encountering, dialoguing with and listening to one another, and all together listening to the Holy Spirit.” Basking in the developments at the assembly, the participants declared, “We are the Church in synod: the Family of God is our identity in Africa.” In a communiqué co-signed by Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo and President of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) Rev. Fr. Rafael Simbine, Secretary General of SECAM, the African Synodal Continental Assembly termed the ‘Africa Synodal Assembly’ as a Church that stretches out, and includes all our differences, diversity, tensions and forces; welcomes others and makes room for their diversity; empties herself, but without losing the foundations and fundamentals of our faith; and a Church that can move.”

The African Synodal Continental Assembly described Africa as a Synodal Continent and the Catholic Church in Africa as ‘Africa Synodal Family’ symbolised by the fundamentals of the Catholic faith as well as rich cultural values and traditions. The Ecclesial assembly said, “Africa is a synodal continent. Synodality is part of who we are and how we live as the Family of God in Africa. Our continent is blessed with rich principles and values of our cultures and traditions. Indeed, rooted in African anthropological principles and cultural values are community spirit, sense of family, teamwork, solidarity, inclusivity, hospitality and conviviality, the Catholic Church in Africa has grown as a Family of God. These principles and values are good and healthy seeds for the birth and growth of a truly synodal Church in Africa and in the world.” The participants however, expressed concern at the sufferings and pains that Africans go through. They said, “As the Synodal Family of God in Africa, we do not flee from the lived realities of our continent: the wounds of Africans are also the wounds of the Synodal Family of God. “During our Continental Synodal Assembly, we have felt the pain and suffering of our sisters and brothers in Africa. The Synodal Family of God walks with those who are affected by war, ethnic strife, religious intolerance, terrorism, and all forms of conflict, tension and violence.

With solidarity, compassion and charity, the Synodal Church in Africa journeys with our sisters and brothers in distress.” Further illustrating its traits as the Synod Church in Africa, the assembly posited “As the Synodal Family of God, we are a listening Church. We listen without judging, especially those who do not feel sufficiently recognised in the Church. We accept the invitation of synodality to listen to those who feel exiled, neglected and excluded from the Church. We recognise that when we do this, others feel welcome, and are free to share their own spiritual journey.” The Assembly said that young people and women are great assets to the enlightenment of a truly synodal Church in Africa. The communiqué read in part, “During our Continental Synodal Assembly, we have heard the voice of the young people. The Church in Africa is vibrant because of the energy, passion and creativity of the youth. Their contribution to the mission and ministry of the Church is a gift for the edification of a truly synodal church in Africa. Young people have an important place and a pivotal role in the Synodal Family of God in Africa. “During our Continental Synodal Assembly, we journeyed with the women who were active participants in the process of listening, dialogue and discernment. We have learned from them how to be a Synodal Church. African women hold the Church together; they are the majority. African women are the backbone of the Church. To journey together as a Synodal Church means recognising their giftedness, talents, charisms and contributions. For women in Africa and across the world, synodality is an opportunity for “full and equal participation” in the life of the Church.

Women are therefore a gift to the Church. There is no way true synodality can happen in the Church if women are not considered as equal partners. The Assembly resolved to sustain a culture of synodality as a way of life in the Church. The communiqué further read, “The Synodal Family of God desires to grow in a spirituality that will sustain the practice of synodality, a spirituality that enables the Synodal Church to grow in interiority and conscience and in encountering and listening to the Holy Spirit. We desire to encourage and establish synodal practices at all levels of the Church in Africa. We desire to birth a culture of synodality as a habitual way of proceeding in the Church. ”As the Synodal Family of God in Africa, we are a learning church. We do not walk alone: we have things that we can learn from others. Enlivened by the spirit of inter-culturality, ecumenism and interfaith encounter, we walk together with others, appreciating cultural differences, understanding those particularities as elements which help us to grow. We also listen to the spirituality and wisdom of indigenous peoples and local cultures.” The Synodal Continental Assembly was organised by the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) as a continuation of the two Working Sessions held in Accra, Ghana and Nairobi, Kenya, in December 2022 and January 2023, respectively.